Hi Everyone!

Just stopping by today with a couple of mini reviews of books that I have reading for the book challenges that started in 2017.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
This book was recommended to me by my mother in law. I found the book an interesting read, especially considering that we will be going China this year! (For vacation) I found out alot about a culture that I did not know much about and I found this to be interesting way to learn about it, by following the lives of those in it.

The Walls Around Us
Sometimes it is hard to admit what happened in situations. This book speaks to that dynamic and the story of how it impacts multiple people's lives. The themes of justice, friendship, and loyalties all play out in this interesting read.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before
This book was very cute. This was the story of Lara Jean. Her personal letters to the boys that she has loved get released to them and it creates some interesting dynamics in her world. A young at heart book, I enjoyed this read and I am looking forward to the next one.

The Way I Used To Be
I decided to buddy read this book with my friend @brittany_reads. What a powerful book. I was warned that you might need Kleenex for this one and that was no joke. This book is about the events that happen follow a sexual assault at different points in the main characters life. This book was not easy to read, but powerful.

The Art of Being Normal
I have to be honest, I thought that this book was going to be about a student who identifies as gay. Turns out, it is actually about a student who identifies as transgender. This book is David and his desire to become female. This book was another powerful read and I hope that it will be a piece that those in that same place can relate to and know that they are not alone.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Warren the 13th and the All Seeing Eye

Author: Tania del Rio (Goodreads Author), Will Staehle (Illustrations)

 

 Summary from Goodreads: 
Warren the 13th is the lone bellhop, valet, waiter, groundskeeper, and errand boy of his family’s ancient hotel. It’s a strange, shadowy mansion full of crooked corridors and mysterious riddles—and it just might be home to a magical object known as the All-Seeing Eye. Can Warren decipher the clues and find the treasure before his sinister Aunt Annaconda (and a slew of greedy hotel guests) beats him to it?

This middle-grade adventure features gorgeous two-color illustrations on every page and a lavish two-column Victorian design that will pull young readers into a spooky and delightful mystery.

 
Personal Review:
Happy Friday the 13th! If you are looking for a quick, delightful read to get you in the right mood for this superstitious day, then this may be the book for you. In this book, we meet Warren, the groundskeeper of a mansion. The book allows us to follow along with Warren as he goes on adventure to solve the clues.

I enjoyed the plot of this book. It was interesting and engaging. However, what I enjoyed most about this book was the illustrations. I had this book in e-format, but I can only imagine what they look like in print.

The story was entertaining and I am glad that I had a chance to pick this one up. If you are looking for a quirky story, check this one out. Plus the second one in series is out in March, so you won't have to wait much longer! :)

Check out that cover here:

 Disclaimer: I was awarded this book as part of the Quirk Books #Quirksgiving Contest. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Junie B. Jones, First Grader

 Summary:
Junie B. Jones The Musical is a hit! Listen to the full cast album and the audiobook of Junie B. Jones, First Grader (at last!).

Being in first grade means having to get used to a whole new classroom. And a whole new teacher. And a whole new bunch of strange children. But here’s the worst thing of all: When Junie B. tries to read words on the chalkboard…she can’t! Is it possible that Junie B. needs glasses?

Author Information

Personal Review:
I picked this book for review for a couple of reasons. The first was because I adored Beverly Cleary as as child and I am reminded of those books every time I see a Junie B. Jones book. Also because I thought it would be a fun way to take in the information (since it was an audiobook), and because I thought that this might something I could enjoy with nieces in the future.

The story was one that kept my attention and I found the narrator to be easy to listen to. I feel like it would keep the attention of young people. I really liked the songs. They were catchy and fun addition the story.

I found the book to be entertaining and I would pick up another Junie B Jones book. I am not sure if my nieces have had a chance to read any of these books, but I am looking forward to sharing with them. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.


Disclaimer: I was awarded this book as part of the Blogging for Books program. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Gizelle's Bucket List

Author: Lauren Fern Watt
 
Summary:

The playful, epic adventure of a 160-pound English Mastiff and the twentysomething girl who grew up alongside her—Marley & Me for a whole new generation.

Lauren Watt took her 160-pound English Mastiff to college—so of course after graduation, Gizelle followed Lauren to her first, tiny apartment in New York. Because Gizelle wasn’t just a dog; she was a roommate, sister, confidante, dining companion, and everything in between.

Together, Gizelle and Lauren went through boyfriends, first jobs, a mother’s struggle with addiction, and the ups and downs of becoming an adult in the big city. But when Gizelle got sick and Lauren realized her best friend might not be such a constant after all, she designed an epic bucket list to make the absolute most of the time they had left.

Bursting with charm, this unique, coming-of-age story of a girl making her way through life is a testament to the special way pets inspire us to live better, love better, and appreciate the simple pleasures. Gizelle’s Bucket List is the humorous, poignant lesson our pets teach us: to embrace adventure, love unconditionally, and grow into the people we want to be.

Personal Review:
This book is every animal lovers heart in a written format. This book made me laugh, it made me cry, and most of all it made me so grateful for my 'fur children.' I am very much of the mindset that animals are part of our lives for reasons and this book reconfirmed that for me.

In this book we get to join Lauren and Gizelle (her Mastiff) recount Gizelle's life and a bucket list adventure. The book is a beautiful tribute to her dear friend and it made me cry. I love that connection they shared and the lessons she learned from Gizelle. What a story.

As mentioned by the summary, this has a very Marley and Me feel to it. I enjoyed the story very much and I am very grateful for the opportunity to read this book.

Disclaimer: I was awarded this book from the publisher. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.


Happy Reading!

Top Ten Tuesday: 2016 Releases I Meant To Read But Didn't Get To (But TOTALLY plan to)

Hi Everyone!

Just stopping by with another Top Ten Tuesday!  This week's topic is Top Ten Tuesday is about books that I Meant To Read But Didn't Get To (But TOTALLY plan to). Unfortunately and fortunately for me, this means that alot of the books I have to read, I am still really excited to read them- I just did not get a chance to start! 

That is okay though because I am going to catch up on them in 2016. *Positive thoughts. :)

 Here is my list:

What is on your list? Any of these that I should read first?

Happy Reading! 

2017 What an Animal Reading Challenge

Hi Everyone!

I am excited to be here to talk with you about 2017 What an Animal Reading Challenge. The challenge will begin on January 1, 2017 and end on December 31, 2017.

Information from Socrates Book Reviews and the Rules:

1.  Any book read for this challenge has to have an animal that plays a major role in the book (which could be fiction or non-fiction.)
  It also counts if a main character is (or turns into) an animal (define that however you'd like).  In the past, books would qualify if an animal is in the title or on the cover, but that alone no longer qualifies.  This challenge is for books related to animals and just because they are in the title or on the cover, doesn't mean it's about an animal.

These are the levels.

Level 1 - Read 6 books

Level 2 - Read 7-12

Level 3 - Read 13-20

Level 4 - Read 21 or more

2. The animal can be any type of animal (real or fictitious)--dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark...dragon, mermaid, centaur, vampire, werewolf...you get the idea...


3. Challenge runs from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017.

4. Books can be fiction or nonfiction.

5. You may make a list of books at the beginning of the challenge or you can just list them as you find them.


6. Book titles may be swapped out at anytime (assuming you made a list to begin with).


7. Crossovers with other challenges are permitted and encouraged.


8. You don't have to have a blog or write a review, but you can if you want to.
 If you don't have a blog, just post in the comment section that you'd like to join. You can post your books in there. Or you can sign up by joining my group on Goodreads for this challenge by clicking here.

9. Books can be in any format of your choice (print, audio, ebooks)

10.  To sign up, use the Mister Linky on the sign up page (link above). There will be links for reviews and wrap posts later.

That's it!  Enjoy and have fun!



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Sound pretty great right?

My goal is to read at least 12 books and I will track them here:

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Will you be signing up?

Happy Reading! 

Book Review: Grounded

Author: Kate Forest
 
Summary from Goodreads: Biologist Julia won’t tolerate another frigid Chicago winter studying the frozen Great Lakes. But with every hour of her flight delay, her chance on a research voyage in Florida slips further away.

Jeremy must get to Florida to sever the noose-like obligations of his family's boating business so he can become curator of a Chicago museum.

Stuck in an airport, waiting out the snowstorm of the century, can two travelers headed for opposite paths find love while trapped in Concourse B?

Personal Review:
If you are looking for a cute, quick romance to start your new year, you will want to pick this one up. In this book, we meet Julia and Jeremy who are unable to leave on their flights. They end up meeting one and another what they discover about one another is surprising on a lot of different levels.

If you are a person who believes that everything happens for a reason, then this might be the book for you. For someone who is a bit more realistic, you may not buy into the story as much. Thankfully for me, I am the former and I found the story to be witty and cute. I love chance meetings and this book represented that well.

I appreciated the opportunity to review this book.
 Disclaimer: I was awarded this book from the author. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.

Happy Reading!